In the pregame narrative, I said it was unrealistic to expect the 2023 Astros rotation to perform as consistently as the 2022 staff.
Then, the very picture of pitching inconsistency, Cristian Javier, put the Astros in overwhelming command of the 2023 ALDS.
Coming into the game with a 6.28 ERA since June 21, Javier was almost unhittable. But he was also clutch, removing himself from at least three critical jams without allowing a run in five innings pitched. He only allowed one hit, but five walks and a hit by pitch kept him under pressure for much of his appearance.